Fitness Ball as Office Chair

daisymack

So I have an L5/S1 disc bulge. Actually, given that it's February and I haven't been running much (see first sentence), I have plenty of other bulges, but that's a different issue. Anyhoo, disc bulge = I need a stronger core.

My workspace would make an ergonomist break out into a cold sweat, what with the too-high desk and too-low chair and too-short Suzanne. I can't control the desk or my height, so I decided to try out an exercise ball as my chair. This solves a multitude of problems: gets me sitting up higher, forces me to balance, keeps me off of my always-tender tailbone.

It's been about two weeks. In general, I like it, but I'd love to hear others' experiences. I'm surprised by the muscles that are most quickly fatigued - I thought my abs would go first but actually it's the ones along my spine. In fact, on my commute home via metro or bus, when I'm stuck sitting like a sardine in one position for 30 minutes, those muscles sometimes ache so bad I have to stand up. I worry that I still slouch forward on the ball. And because I had to go with a 75cm ball to get me up to the right height for my desk, it's tough to sit with my legs in front of me - instead, I have to splay them a bit and hug the ball, and this sometimes makes my knees sore.

In terms of functionality, I've found that the ball can't be an all-day thing. If I'm doing something that requires me to "toggle" back and forth between desk surfaces or from desk to file cabinet, I need something on wheels. But if I know I have an afternoon meeting in the conference room, I can make sure to spend the morning on the ball. I find that some days I can last almost the entire time, and others I give up fairly early on. Oh, and certain pants-ball pairings make for a slightly sweaty butt. (Is that TMI?)

Probably the best-slash-worst part about the ball is my coworkers' reactions.  Most of them got over it after about a day or two, but there are a few social misfits who use the ball as a conversation crutch. If you've ever seen Office Space, just substitute "yeah....how's that ball workin' for ya?" instead of "yeah....I'm gonna need those reports". The woman next to me saw my ball and immediately went out and got her own, coincidentally in the same color, so now we refer to ourselves as "ballers" and immediately break into non-rapper-like giggles. Interestingly, she's wearing a Body Bugg-type thing and she's noticed that she burns more calories on the ball than in a chair. Makes sense, but it's kind of cool to have that confirmed.

Anyway, if there are any other "ballers" out there, share away!

mgraffeo

Did it at my previous job. Really liked it. On a bigger ball I would try to 'perch' on it (like sitting on the edge of a barstool while your feet are on the ground), since that activates glutes, and doesn't do as much bad stuff to hip flexors.

Brenda Ross

Suzanne, sorry to hear about your back issue. Here is an article that may help answer some of your questions. http://www.healthyalberta.com/HealthyPlaces/696.htm

I would find something to put your feet on that will bring your knees to a 90 degree angle. I understand why you have choosen the larger ball, but as you will read in the article you do want those knees at 90 degrees. Good luck. Let me know your thoughts.

Nemo Brauch

Sorry to hear about the back troubles, getting your work area updated should certainly help. I did the balance ball as a chair for almost a year and found, eventually, I learned how to slouch on the ball almost as badly as I could in a chair. So I guess my word of warning would be to not assume that just cause you are on the ball you are sitting with better posture.

I'm now working at a standing desk which, so far, I've found a little better than sitting on the ball. I do a lot of one-leg standing/balancing and I've recently purchased a balance board as well. So far I can't type and stand on the balance board, but it works well for conference calls.

chuckg

Suzanne - I have some interest in have a fitness ball as my desk chair also.  I have read about and seen stands (or ball inserts) for fitness ball chairs.  They have wheels too that may help you getting around to multiple desks.  I am really curious about longterm results with the "chair" and your core stability.  Please let us know how it goes. 

 

http://www.gaiam.com/product/exerci...l-chair.do

 

 

Michele Cellai

Suzanne- in my daily practice I see folks with all sorts of musculoskeletal problems due to poorly fitting work spaces- poor ergonomics.
The information is out there on the net and easily found (I had to write a presentation about it recently). I would recommend that the company consider a table with adjustable heights so that if you left, it could be adjusted for someone else. Also, if the table is a better height, you can sit on a smaller ball and have you feet properly in front of you. In the mean time, a small step stool is a good option.
My desk was set up properly and I have no problems. The chair forces me to sit with good posture. I get back pain within 30 minutes at a restaurant due to the surface being too soft. I often sit on my coat to boost my butt up and relieve low back pain. In the car I have done the same.
Is the bulge causing any nerve compression? Have you tried a home traction kit? Aqua therapy?

I am ready for the weekend, although I am loving this weather.

daisymack

Unfortunately, there's no changing the set-up of my office. The "desks" are really shelves secured to the wall. I did consider the equipment Chuck mentioned, but it was hard to justify the cost. I am still thinking of how to create a poor-man's version of that - I think I may ask my carpenter father for assistance. You know those furniture dollies - the wooden platform on four casters? Something like that...

Anyway, look what else I found:
[code]http://sitincomfort.com/pedlaexerciser.html[/code];

Oh, and Michelle: yes, no and no. That's a whole 'nuther story - I'm off to the spinal specialists on Monday.

Jenn Edwards

Hey Suzanne,

So sorry to hear about your back troubles.  My N=1 as a person who had multiple herniations in the L4/L5 area over the course of several years follows.  After several bouts of physical therapy I found some keys that have kept me running (and biking and swimming) and would consider myself "cured" (i.e. no herniations or major pain) since 2006 and through my Ironman training.

• A strong core and flexible hip flexors are the key for me.  I find if I slack off on keeping either in good working order that I start to feel symptoms coming on.
• I sit on a big pink ball and am damn proud of it!  At first, I just made lots of "it's hard to take your boss seriously when she's sitting on a pink ball" jokes and folks are pretty much oblivious to it now.  Actually, several others in our office now have them as well.
• I am able to use my ball all day at the office, I don't even have another chair.  I DO have a foot stool to bring my legs to 90 degrees.
• As far as moving around my space, I will lean back on the ball and just consider it a mini-crunch.  If I have to move laterally, I consider it an opportunity to stand up a little.

Keep us posted as to your progress... really tough injury!